Sheet cutting and creasing press



Dec. 31,. 1946. A. J. IEvERs SHEET CUTTING AND CREASING PRESS 14 Sheets-Sheet 'l` Filed NOV. 4, 1943 INVENTOR.

A. .l. Evi-:Rs SHEET CUTTING AND CREASING PRESS Filed Nov.' 4, 1943 l Dec. 31, 1946.

14 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN1/Emma. muy( 3m WW Dec. 31, 1946.

A. J. EvERs SHEET CUTTING AND CREASING PRESS Filed NOV. 4, 1943 14 sheetsl-shevet s INVENTOR.

www M Filled Nov.' 4, 1943 14 Sheets-Sheet 4 m m m m una De. '31, 1946.v A. J. EvERs SHEET CUTTING AND CREASING PRESS Filed Nov. 4, 1945 14 Shets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR.

Decf 31, 1946. A. J. EvERs SHEET CUTTING ND CREASING PRESS Filed Nov. 4, 41943 14 Sheets-Sheet 6 1946- A. J. :VERS 2,413,553

SEET 'CUTTING AND CREASING PRESS Dec. 31

Filed Nor. 4, 1943 14 Sheets-:Sheet 7 Dec. 31, 1946.

A. .LEVERS g SHEET CUTTING AND CREASING PRESS Filed Nov. 4, 1.943 14 Sheets-Sheet 8 IN VEN TOR.

Filed Nov. 4, 1943 WUMIIIHIIHHMW HHH.

Dec. 31, 1946.'-

A. J. EvERsy SHEET CUTTING- AND CREASING PRESS 14 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Nov. 4, 1943 Dec. 31, 1946. A. J. EvERs SHEET 'CUTTING AND CREASING PRESS Filed Nov. 4, 1945 14 Sheets-Sheet 1l NGN.

v -..HMMHWHNHMH HHH.. :mmv @N MKS I JNENToR.

INVENTOR 14 sheets-sheet 12 [fw/#M Dec. 31, 1946. A. J. EvERs SHEET CUTTING AND CREASING PRESS Filed Nov. 4, 1943 Dec. 3i, 1946. A. J. Evl-:Rs

SHEET CUTTING AND CREASING PRESS Filed Nov.4, 1943 14 sheets-sheet 13 I N VEN TOR.

A. J. EVERS SHEET CUTTING AND CREASING PRESS Dec. 31, 1946.

Filed Nov. 4, A1943 14 Shegts-sh'eet 14 n H NNUU.

. INVENTOR.

Patented Dec. 3l, v1946 SHEET CUTTING AND CREASING PRESS Arthur J. Evers, Brooklyn, N. Y., assigner to C. B. Cottrell & Sons Company, Westerly, R. I., a

corporation of Delaware Application November 4, 1943, Serial No. 508,905 19 claims. (o1. 164-21) This invention is directed to novel means for and method of cutting and creasing sheets, as, for instance, folding box blanks.

One object of my invention is to provide certain improvements in sheet Cutting and creasing presses of the coacting platen type whereby the presses may be driven at a relatively high speed with a minimum movement of the 'various working elements and thus materially increasing production by the presses.

Another object of my invention is to provide a sheet cutting and creasing press in which the sheet handling carriage is reciprocated and arranged for simultaneously feeding, on one stroke of the carriage, a new sheet into the press and delivering the preceding cut and creased sheet therefrom.

My invention comprises a press of the above character in which the stationary lower platen is provided with a sheet cutting and creasing die and the upper movable platen with a cutter plate coacting with said die; the sheet handling carriage which reciprocates between the die and its coacting cutter plate being raised and lowered as it is reciprocated: means, as sheet grippers, Ibeing' provided on the carriage for feeding a sheet into the press and lowering the sheet on the die; and means, as suction devices being provided on the carriage for lifting the previously out and creased sheet from the die, conveying it forward and lowering it to a suitable delivery point.

My invention also comprises means for temporarily stopping the carriage at one end of its stroke during the sheet cutting and creasing operation, and means, as stationary suction devices, for holding the sheet on the die during said cutting and creasing operation.

My invention also includes certain other improvements in the construction, arrangement and operation of theV several parts of the press as will hereinafter more fully appear.

A practical embodiment of my invention is represented in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive represent, diagrammatically, the several stages through which the sheets pass from the blanks to the nished or cut and creased products;

Fig. 6 representsa side elevation of so much of the machine that includes the invention;

Fig. 'I represents a front elevation at the delivery end of the machine;

Fig. 8 represents a detail front elevation of the upper portion of the delivery end, on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 9 represents a detail side elevation of the sheet handling carriage driving means and the reciprocating upper platen partly in section;

Fig. l0 represents a detail side elevation of the carriage driving means;

Fig. 11 represents a detail vertical section taken in the plane of the line Xl-XI of Fig. 10, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 12 represents a detail vertical section taken in the plane of the line XII-XII of Fig. 11, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figs. 1.3 and 14 represent a detail longitudinal section through the carriage showing the means for raising and lowering the same;

Fig. 15 represents a detail vertical section taken in the plane of the line XV-XV of 13, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 16 represents a detail longitudinal section similar to Fig. 13 showing the parts in another position and carriage raised;

' Fig. 17V represents a detail plan View of certain of the parts shown in Figs. 13 and 15;

Fig. 18 represents a detail longitudinal section showing the reciprocating means for opening and closing the grippers on the carriage;

Fig, 19 represents a detail plan View of the same; I

Fig. 20 represents a detail section showing the cam, the arm and the rock shaft for actuating the gripper mechanism;

Fig. 21 represents a detail plan view of a gripper and the actuating lever and rollers on a larger scale than the lpreceding figures;

Fig. 22 represents a longitudinal section taken in the plane of the line XXII-XXII of Fig. 2l;

Fig. 23 represents a similar View showing the gripper in its open position;

Fig. 24 represents a similar view showing the gripper retracted;

Fig. 25 represents a vertical section showing the spring means for yieldingly holding the gripper actuating shaft in both of its positions;

Fig. 26 represents a detail plan view partly in section of a portion of the carriage showing the suction devices applied thereto;

Fig. 27 represents a longitudinal section taken in the plane of the line XXVII-XXVII of Fig. 26;

Fig. 28 represents a detail side elevation of the manifold and adjacent mechanism for controlling the actuation of the suction devices, on a. scale similar to that shown in Figs. 6 to 20 inclusive;

Fig. 29 represents a detail plan view of the same partly in section;

Fig. 30 represents a detail end view of the same partly in section;

Fig. 31 represents a detail side elevatio-n of the upper reciprocating platen partly in section;

Fig. 32 represents an end elevation of the stationary lower cutting and creasing platen;

Fig. 33 represents a detail plan view of the same;

Fig. 34 represents a transverse section of the lower platen taken in the plane of the line XXXIV-XXXIV of Fig. 33 looking in the drection of the arrows and shown on a greatly en larged scale;

Fig. 35 represents a detail end elevation of a portion of the machine partly in section and on a scale similar to that shown in Figs. 28 to 33 inclusive, and showing the actuating mechanism of the reciprocating platen;

Fig. 36 represents a detail plan View of the gearing and adjacent parts for raising and low ering the upper platen; and

Fig. 37 represents a detail vertical sectioni'taken in the plane of the line XXXVII-XXXVII of Fig. 35, looking in thel direction of the arrows.

The press frame comprises generally the base member I and the frame members 2 and 3.

The pile of blank sheets at the feed or rear end of the press is denoted by 4 and the pile of cut and creased sheets at the front or delivery end of the press is denoted by 5.

The stationary lower platen 6 of the press carries the cutting die 1 which die is arranged to cut and crease at one operation, blank sheets of various shapes 'and sizes.

The movable upper platen 8 carries the cutter plate 9 which coacts with the die 1 to cut and crease the blank sheets as they are successively fed into the press. This upper platen 8 is connected to the two lower cross heads I2 by rods slidable in the frame brackets I0.

The weight of this upper platen and its frame is substantially counterbalanced to facilitate the rapid reciprocation of the upper platen into and out of its coaction with the lower platen. In Ythe present instance a plurality of heavy coil springs I3 are located between the base I of the press frame and the lower cross heads I2 of the platen frame.

The following means are provided for vertically reciprocating the upper platen' at a variable speed so that the platen may be speeded up .as it nears its sheet cutting and creasing position and slowed down after it leaves said position, thereby allowing suHicient time for the reciprocation of the sheet handling carriage between the platens. An electric motor I4 (see Fig. 7) has its shaft I5 provided with a gear I6 which meshes with a gear I1 on a cross shaft I8 which is provided with two gears |9 which mesh with their two gears 23 loosely mounted .on the crank shaft 2| (see Figs. 36 and 37). This crank shaft 2| is provided with crank discs 22 at its ends. These crank discs are provided with spherical headed pins 23 engaging links 24 pivoted at 25 to arms 26 projecting from the upper members 21 of toggle levers pivoted at 28 to the base frame (see Fig. The lower members 29 of the toggle levers are pivoted at 36 to the lower cross heads I2 of the upper platen vIi. The cross shaft I 8 is also provided with two gears 32 whichmesh with gears 33 on cam shafts 34 (see Fig. 36).

A gear |39 fast on the shaft 2| meshes with a pinion |3| fast on a shaft |32 mounted in a swinging support |33 which is oscillated on the shaft 2| by means of links |34 eccentrically pivoted at |35 on the gears 33. Gears |36 0n the shaft |32 mesh with gears |31 carried by the stud shafts |38 on the swinging support |33 which gears |31 mesh with gears |39 loosely mounted on the shaft 2|.

A track is provided for guiding the sheet handling carriage in its reciprocating movement, which track is raised and lowered by the elements connected to the cross shaft I8, as follows:

One of the cam shafts 34 (see Fig. 13) carries a box cam 35 which engages one arm 36 of a rock lever plvoted at 31, the other arm 38 of which rock lever is connected by a link 39 with an arm 40 of a rock shaft 4|. The arms 42 of said rock lever are pivoted to their respective side rails 43 of the carriage track. These side rails 43 of the track are also supported at intervals by pairs of rock arms 44 and 45.

The sheet handling carriage 46 (as it is raised and lowered with its track side rails 43) is shown as reciprocated on the track rails 43 by the following elements (see Figs. 16 and 17) a pair of rack bars 41 are slidably mounted in guides 48, which rack bars are provided with yokes 49 to receive studs or rollers `5|] carried on the opposite sides of the carriage 46. These two rack bars 41 are reciprocated by two gears 5I fast on an oscillating cross shaft 52 (see Figs. l0, 11 and 12) which carries a gear 53 meshing with a gear 54 mounted on a stud shaft 55. A pinion 56 which is integral with the gear 54 meshes with a vertically disposed rack bar 51 mounted to slide in a bracket 58 carried by the press frame 3.

This rack bar 51 (see Figs. 9 and 10) is reciprocated by means of an arm 59 which is carried by one of the shafts 34.

The sheet handling carriage 46 (see Figs. 9 and l0) is retarded and accelerated during its reciprocating movements by the following elements: a two-part box cam 60, 6| is mounted to oscillate with the shaft 52 and arranged to receive a vstud or roller 62 eccentrically carried by the gear 54. The shape and relative positions of the two parts 60 and 6| of this oscillating cam serve -to control the rotary speed of the shaft 52 during its oscillations and hence the variable sliding movement of the rack bars 41 through the pair of gears 5| on the said shaft 52.

The throw of the arm 59 which is carried by the shaft k34 controls the length of the reciprocating movement of the rack bar 51 and thereby the number of rotations (in the present instance about two and one-half rotations) in each direction of the pinion 56 and the gear 54 which gear carries the stud or roller 62. The oscillating movement of the stud or roller 62 causes it to alternately enter the two parts 60, 6| of the box cam and thus cause the cam to oscillate the shaft 52 with a variable rotative speed in both directions. This oscillating movement of the shaft 52 will cause its gears 5| to reciprocate the two horizontally disposed rack bars 41 along their guides 48.

The means on the sheet handling carriage 46 for advancing a newly fed blank sheet into the press and simultaneously delivering a, previously l cut sheet out of the press, during one stroke of the carriage comprises sheet grippers and suction devices respectively,

The means on the sheet handling carriage 46 for advancing a rnewly fed blank sheet from the feed pile 4 into the press comprises the following elements: sheet grippers comprising fixed and movable jaws-63 and 64 are disposed across the rear end of the sheet handling carriage46 in position to be closed to grasp a newlyfedl blank sheet from the pile 4 a-s the carriage reaches the end of its rearward or return stroke and to release the sheet as the carriage reaches the end 0f its forward or advance stroke.

The means for opening and closing these grippers 63, 64 comprises the following elements: (see Figs. 18 to 24) the lower movable jaw-s 64 of these grippers are connected by links 65 to spring pressed bars 66 slidable in the tube 61 which extend lengthwise of the carriage. The forward ends of these bars 65 are connected by links 68 to arms 69 fixed to a cross rock -shaft 19 mounted at the forward end of the carriage. A cam operated lever 1| is also fixed to the rock shaft 10, one arm 12 of said lever carrying a stud or roller 13 and the other arm 14 carrying a stud or roller 15. Cams 16, 11 are carried by a lengthwise movable bar 18 slida-ble in hangers 19 depending from the track rail 43, which cams are located in position to engage their respective studs or rollers 13 and 15 to rock the lever 1| to close the grippers 63, 64 ontothe newly fed sheet at the end of the return stroke of the carriage and to open the grippers at the end of the forward stroke of the carriage.. Spring means serves to yieldingly hold the gripper actuating shaft 19 in both of its positions.

One arm 89 of a rock lever pivoted on the cross shaft 8| is connected by a link B2 to the bar 18, the other arm 83 of which lever is connected by a link 84 to the uprising frame 85 of a rock lever pivoted at 86, the depending arm 81' of which lever isengaged by a boxV cam B8 fixed to the cross shaft 34.

Suction devices on the lower platen are provided for holding the newly fed sheets against displacement on the die 1 during the cutting and creasing operation. vided on the sheet handling carriage for lifting the out and creased sheet from the die and conveying it to a point over the delivery pile simultaneously with the feeding of a new sheet into the press; means being provided for controlling the operation of the suction devices at the proper times.

The suction pump 89 is driven by the electric motor 9! through the sprocket and chain connection 96. A pipe 92 leads from the pump to the upper manifold 93 carried by the uprights 94. This upper manifold 93 is shown as having eight ports 95 and four ports 95* through its upper wall which are brought into and out of communication with branch pipes 95 and 96* by bridge ports 91 and 91* in valves 98, 98* carried by a bar 99 operated at the proper times by a rock lever |00, Ii pivoted at |62 and connected by a link |03 to a rock lever |04, |85 pivoted at |95, which rock lever is connected by a link |01 to the uprising arm IDB of a rock lever pivoted at |69, the other arm IIB of which lever carries a stud or roller III engaged by a box cam |I2 xed to the shaft 34. The above mentioned branch pipes S5* are connected through pipes I I3, I4 to a lower manifold H5. This lower manifold is provided with vertical branches IIB which are connected by flexible tubes ||1 and elbows II8 to horizontal passages |I9 in the lower platen 6. Ports |20 in the lower platen lead to suction devices I2| in the die 1.

. The branch pipes 96 are yconnected through Suction devices are also pro.

6 pipes |22 and elbows |23 to spaced horizontal pipes |24 extending lengthwise of the carriage 46. The bottom Walls of these pipes |24 are in open communication at all times with the suction devices |25.

The cutter plate 9 is herein shown a-s secured by bolts |26 and keepers I21 to the upper platen 8.' To prevent the buckling of the cutter plate suction may be exerted thereon at all times through a pipe |28 leading from the main exhaust pipe 92 to a suction chamber |29 in the lower face of the upper platen 8.

In operation: any well known or approved sheet feeding mechanism, not shown herein, may be employed for bringing the blank sheets from the pile 4 into proper end and side register to be grasped by the grippers 63, 64 on the rear endof the sheet handling carriage at the limit of its rearward or return stroke.

As the carriage is about t0 start on its variable speed forward stroke its grippers 63, 64 are closed by the cam 88 on the cam shaft 34 which is driven from the motor I4, thus causing the grippers to grasp the leading end of the newly fed sheet. The previously cut and creased sheet on the die is released by its suction devices I2I on the die and engaged by the previously cut and creased sheet delivery suction devices |25 on the carriage. As thel carriage starts on its forward stroke it is raised by the lifting of its track by the related movement-s of the cam shaft 34, box cam 35, rock lever 35, 38, link 39, arm 40 of rock shaft 4|, arms 42, 44 and 45 and side rails 43 of the track. This operation will cause the grippers 63, 64 on the rear end of the carriage to lift the advance end of the newly fed sheet at the same time that the suction devices |25 on the carriage lift the previously out and creased sheet away from its die.. The further forward movement of the carriage will cause the grippers 63, 64 to move the newly fed sheet into the press and at the same time cause the suction devices |25 on the carriage to move the previously out and creased sheet out of the press.

As the carriage approaches the end of its forward movement it will be lowered by the lowering of the track to bring the newly fed sheet into its proper position on the die and the previously cut and creased sheet to its position over the delivery pile 5. The suction devices I 2| on the die will then be operated to hold the newly presented sheet in position on the die.

The upper platen 8 at this time has been moved downwardly into position to cause the die and cutter plate to coact on the newly fed sheet to cut and crease the same, it being understood that the movement of the carriage is stopped at this time.

As it has been previously explained, the variable speed reciprocating movement of the carriage is accomplished by the related movements of the shaft I9, gears 32, 33, shaft 34, crank arm 59,

v rack bar 51, its pinion 55, gear 54, stud or roller 62, two part oscillating box cam B, 6|, gear 53 on oscillating shaft 52, gears 5I and horizontally disposed rack bars 41. f

The grippers 63, 64 on the carriage will be opened and retracted after the carriage has moved forwardly to complete its stroke thereby bringing the grippers beyond the advance edge of the newly fed sheet. The suction devices |25 on thgcar riage will then be released to permit the previously cut and creased sheet to be delivered onto the pile 5.

As the upper platen. and the carriage start' on their respective return strokes the suction devices |2| on the die will still hold the newly fed cut tand f creased :sheet on the die. The grippers Y153,15# `on the rear endofthe carriage will at the 4saine time 'be raised above the said sheet by the lraising vo'f the 'track on which the carriage reciprocates. The carriage then proceeds in its raised position on its return stroke between .the

"upper and `lower platens. vAs the carriage nears :the-limit of its return stro-keit is lowered by the lowering of the track. This lowering movement of -the Ycarriage will :bring its suction devices into contact Awith the newly cut :and creasing sheet and its grippers in positiontograsp the leading `:end ofthe `nextsheet advanced from'the pile li.

Suction .is now oi 'of the suction devices I2 :on the die andonthe`suction'devices il 23 of the zcarriage. YIt will .beLnoted that the suctionis`apiplied to the devices i2| onthe .die'in advance of the :upper `platen 'touching the :new .sheet to be cut and creased and that ittremams on until the carriage .is Ydirectlyfover ithe sheet 'and ready to goidown'on the sheet for the .removal of thesame, vat `which V.time :suction .is started on the devicesl 1.23 .of'the carriageiandicut olf from the vsuctio-n devices I2 I `inthe die.

It will beunderstood 'that'the 'suction devices on thedie and carriage arealternately'operated from the box A'cam "i i 2 on `the shaft S through the rock lever ID3, HQ, link i537, rock lever '104, |05, link |03, rock lever me, fIL'bar 99, `connected mani- `folds 93, 95, piperSZ .and suction pump 8S. In

.FigsfL 2 and 3 .theisuction'deviceson the carriage will be on and the suction devices on the die will be '"oi. In 'Figsl and 5 the suction devices on `the carriage will be olf and the Ysuction deviceson the die will be oni vIt `will also be-understood'from the above description and .the-drawings, that the platen operating mechanism,the carriage raising and low- "application filed December 21, 1945, its Serial No.

being 636,338.

It is :evident that various changes may be resorted to in the construction, form andarrangement of the 'several parts without departing from the v`spirit and Yscope of my invention, Vand hence I.do not intendto be limitedtothe particular embodiment herein rshown and described, but what I claim is:

l. In a sheet'cutting and creasing press, a die and vits coacting plate, a reciprocating carriage, sheet grippers on the carriage operable during one `strokeof the carriage to feeda new sheet into the press, Vand suction Adevices Von the carriage operable during the same stroke to rdeliverthe preceding cut 'and creased sheet from the press,

2. Ina sheet Vcutting and creasing press, a die andits coacting lplate, 'a reciprocating carriage, sheet grippers on the Ycarriageoperable during one stroke lof the carriage to feed a new sheet into the press, Asuction devices on the carriage operable lduring the :same stroke to deliver thepreceding cut and creased sheet from the press, and means for holding the sheet Jon the 'die during the cutting-andereasing.operation.

`3. ,In a sheet :cutting and creasing press, "a die Aand its -coacting ;plate, :a reciprocating carriage, sheet grippers onfthecarriage operable during one stroke of the carriageto'fee'd a newsheet into the press, V-suction devices on Athe carriage operable during the same stroke to deliver'the preceding cut and creased sheetfrom the ipress, andsuction means for holding'the sheet on'the'die during the cutting andcreasingoperation. f

4. In a sheet cutting and creasing press, a die and its coactingiplate, a"reciprocating carriage, sheet grippersat'the rear-end of .the carriage for feeding a newsheet into the press `during the-forward stroke-of the carriage, -suction devices on the carriage yoperable during'the-samestroke for delivering the preceding cutand creased sheet from the press, and means forraising 'and lowering the carriageas it reciprocates.

5. In a sheet cutting and creasing'press, a die and its coacting plate, a reciprocating carriage, sheet grippers at therear end of the carriage for feeding a new sheet into the '.press during the .forward stroke vof the carriage, suction devices .on the carriage operable during the same .stroke .for delivering thepreceding cut and creased sheet from the press, means for raising and lowering the carriage las it reciprocates, and means for holding the sheet-on the die during the cutting and creasing operation.

6. In a sheet .cutting and creasing press, a die :and its coacting plate, fa reciprocating carriage, sheet :grippers at the frear end of the carriage for feeding a new sheet into lthe press during the forward stroke lof the carriage, suction devices on the carriage operable during the same stroke for delivering the preceding cut and creased sheet from the press, means for raising and lowering the carriage as it reciprocates, and suction means for holding the sheet Aon the die during the cutting and creasing operation.

7. In a sheet cutting and creasing press, a die and its coacting plate, a .reciprocating carriage, means forraising and'lowering the carriage as it reciprocates, means on the carriage operable during the forwardstroke thereof to feed a new sheet forward and lower iton the die, and means on the carriage-operable during the same stroke to lift the `preceding .cut and creased sheet from the die, convey the .sheet forward and vlower it to a delivery point.

8. In a sheet cutting and creasing pressa die and its coacting plate, a reciprocating carriage, means for raising and lowering vthe carriage as it reciprocates, means on the carriage operable during the forward stroke thereof to feed a, new sheet forward and lower .it on the die, means .on the carriage operable during the same stroke to lift the preceding cut and creased sheet from the die, convey the sheet `forward and lower it to a de- .livery point, and means for holding the sheet on the die during the cutting and creasing operation.

9. In a sheet cutting and `creasing press, a die and its coacting plate, `a reciprocating carriage, means forraisingan'd'lowering the carriage as .it reciprocates, meanson the carriage operable during the forward stroke thereof tofeeda new sheet :rage -as it .reciprocates, lgrippers at the `rear end of the carriage operable during the forward stroke of the carriage to feed a new sheet forward and lower it onthe die, and suction devices on the carriage operable during the same stroke to lift the preceding cut and creased sheet from the die, convey the sheet forward and lower it to a delivery point.

11. In a sheet cutting and creasing press, a die and its coacting plate, a reciprocating carriage, means for raising and lowering the carriage as it reciprocates, grippers at the rear end of the carriage operable during the forward stroke of the carriage to feed a new sheet forward and lower it on the die, suction devices on the carriage operable during the same stroke to lift the preceding out and creased sheet from the die, convey the sheet forward and lower it to a delivery point, and suction devices disposed along the die for holding the sheet thereon during the cutting and creasing operation.

12. In a sheet cutting and creasing press, a die and its coacting plate, a reciprocating carriage, 'means for raising and lowering the carriage as it reciprocates, grippers at the rear end of the carriage operable during the forward stroke of the carriage to feed a new sheet forward and lower it on the die, suction devices o-n the carriage operable ,during the same stroke to lift the preceding cut and creased sheet from the die, convey the sheet forward and lower it to a delivery point, suction devices disposed along the die for holding the sheet thereon during the cutting and creasing operation, and means for thereafter opening and retracting the grippers.

13. In a sheet cutting and creasing press, a die and its coacting plate, a track, means for raising and lowering it, a carriage, means thereon operable during one stroke to feed a new sheet and deliver Athe preceding cut and creased sheet, means for reciprocating the carriage on the track, and means for momentarily stopping the carriage at one end of the stroke.

14. In a sheet cutting and creasing press, a die and its coacting plate, a track, means for raising and lowering it, a carriage, means thereon operable during one stroke to Afeed a new sheet and deliver the preceding cut and creased sheet, means for reciprocating the carriage on the track, and means for momentarily stopping the carriage at both ends of its stroke.

15. In a sheet cutting and creasing press, a die and its coacting plate, a reciprocating carriage, grippers thereon for feeding a sheet to the die during one stroke, and means for momentarily stopping the carriage at the delivery end of its stroke as the sheet is cut and creased and thereafter retracting the grippers on the carriage.

16. In a sheet cutting and creasing press, a die and its coacting plate, a track, means for raising and lowering it, a carriage, grippers thereon for feeding the sheets to the die during one stroke, means for reciprocating the carriage on the track, and means for momentarily stopping the carriage at the delivery end of its stroke as the sheet is cut and creased and thereafter retracting the grippers on the carriage.

i7. In a sheet cutting and creasing press, a die and its coacting plate, a track, means for raising and lowering it, a rack, means for reciprocating it, and a sheet handling carriage slidably mounted on the track and having a vertically movable driving connection with the rack.

18. In a sheet cutting and creasing press, a die and its coacting plate, a track, rock levers supporting it, means for rocking said levers to raise and lower the track, a rack, means for reciprocating it, and a sheet handling carriage slidably mounted on the track and having a vertically movable driving connection with the rack.

19. In a sheet cutting and creasing press, coacting upper and lower platens, their respective die and cutter plate, a sheet handling carriage reciprocating between them, and suction means acting on the cutter plate to hold it to its platen against buckling thereon.

ARTHUR J. EVERS. 

